In the 1970s, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) had a problem: an almost all-male orchestra. This trend also happened to show up in the other top orchestras in the United States at the time. In an experimental process, the BSO implemented blind auditions, placing a curtain between the musician and the judging panel. They even ensured the floors were carpeted to dull the sound of high heels, which might give away an auditioner’s gender.

If you’re a recent college graduate, things are looking up for you—much better than your Millennial predecessors. The U.S. unemployment rate is back down to pre-recession levels. The economy has been recovering year-by-year and the job market is strong. More employers are looking to fill roles as technology changes the way we work and specialized skills become highly sought after. For the Class of 2017, the future is bright.

It's time for another HR Roundup of the latest HR news and trends. This month, we review the Trump administration's rule to stabilize the ACA marketplace and New Jersey Senator's reintroduced Fair Chance Act, also known as the "Ban the Box" rule. We also take a look at the controversy surrounding the GOP's Working Families Flexibility Act and the latest Snapchat trend to hit HR and hiring.

A job application is the first contact many companies will have with potential future employees or, in some cases, customers. That’s one reason it’s so critical to handle the recruiting process with finesse. Bad recruiting experiences negatively impact a brand’s reputation, and can undo goodwill earned by strong products or good customer service.

But some organizations are stuck in the past, repeating the same actions that turn off potentially great employees from applying for other positions or from buying their products in the future. How can you avoid falling into that trap? Take a look at your recruiting and hiring practices for the following worst practices:

There’s nothing dull about Human Resources these days. This fall has boasted a lot of change and proposed legislation—some passed, others stalled or overturned. Rules are changing, deadlines are changing, technology is changing. And HR has to keep up. Good thing you’re here to get the updates on all-things-HR.